“I have known Waverly Oppenheimer for several years now but was asked to be part of her coaching team this past year. Waverly is one of those rare people who is going to make her mark on life because she is determined to do so. She creates her success; we get to be on her team and guide her along the way.
Waverly comes to each lesson with a purpose or a thought she wants to discuss, though she is always prepared to do whatever we guide her to. She will take what she has learned in each ride and apply it thoroughly to her next hack or lesson. She will also study her videos, research ideas we have discussed, and be ready to continue her learning the next time we meet.
She is determined to succeed and has the coachability and work ethic to make it happen.
In the time I’ve worked with Waverly, I have watched her go through health hardships, horse hardships, personal hardships. She makes her way through gracefully and with kindness, always putting others before herself. I’ve seen things hit her hard, but she will take a breath and soldier on with her chin up and a willingness to step right back in and get to work.
Waverly is also involved in every aspect of her horse’s care. She is at almost every vet or chiro appointment, is always researching nutrition, the best pre and post ride recovery methods for her horse, has worked with us and our vet on fitness plans. You name it, she knows it inside and out regarding her riding and her horse’s care.
Waverly is always ready to help out around the barn. As a working student, she excels in organization and attention to detail. If I ask her to do a task, I know it will be completed accurately and thoroughly. If she doesn’t know how to do something or feels something is off, she will reach out and make sure it is done correctly.
I trust Waverly with my horses and my young students. I believe in her ability to be successful with any program who sees her value. She is a phenomenal team member, kind and humble, sharp and collaborative. If she doesn’t know how to do a thing, she will research and figure it out. Her future is bright; I hope you get to be in it.”
~ Megan Downey, co-owner and trainer of Empower Equestrian, Parker, CO
“Waverly Oppenheimer has been a client of ours for about 6 years. She started with us as a 10 year old beginner. After a couple years of riding, she became our very first working student! Her family was unable to afford more than one lesson per week so Waverly worked helping with feed, cleaning tack, exercising horses, really anything she could do to be able to ride more. Fast forward 6 years and her dedication to riding and her unlimited willingness to help has gained her a great reputation around the barn as being the go to person for grooming, show prep and horse care. She has leased a couple horses throughout the years and worked her way up through the levels proving to herself, her trainers and her parents that she wanted nothing but time in the saddle to go as far as she could go. Her parents, having seen the dedication she has put in, were able to buy her her dream horse in 2024. In the year they have worked together, they have accomplished more than they ever dreamed. Their bond and hard work together have allowed them to perform in the most prestigious equitation medals in the equestrian world.
Waverly has shown more grit, determination and heart for this sport than anyone else at our barn. She has been handed nothing, but built herself into the equestrian she is today because of her incredible personality and unstoppable ability to show up and work hard. She’s incredibly coachable, versatile and always willing to lend a hand. She is irreplaceable in our program and therefore would be an asset to ANY team.”
~ Leslie Wenstrom – Co-owner of Empower Equestrians in Parker, CO
“I’ve had the privilege of knowing and riding with Waverly at our barn for the past few years, and I can confidently say she is one of the most hardworking and dedicated people I’ve ever met. Waverly puts in countless hours at the barn. Unlike a lot of girls her age who come to the barn to just ride, she is always working to pay for her own lessons and expenses. She’s put in so much effort to bring her horse along, who when she bought him, had much less experience and talent as she has shaped him into now. The pair truly holds their own against many other riders whose journeys have been much… easier. Nothing about her journey has been handed to her; she’s truly earned everything through determination, patience, and love for the sport. She has been through so much to get to where she is. What stands out just as much as her work ethic (which is hard to do) is her kindness. Waverly is always willing to lend a hand, offer encouragement, or just be there for others. I can’t count how many times she’s woken up at 4am to come watch me show or texted me to see what she can bring to make my day easier. She’s supportive, humble, and a great role model for younger riders. Everyone at the barn looks up to her, not just because of her skills, but because of the way she treats people. The opportunity to ride for a Division 1 team would be so much more than for her; it would truly inspire and reward hardworking individuals in this sport for their work that is often disregarded. It would show to others, and me, that the work we put into this sport will truly get us somewhere, even if we don’t get the same opportunities, horses, and experiences as others. The future of this sport doesn’t depend upon those who make riding just a sport or hobby, it depends on those, like Waverly, who truly care about the animals, and the people that surround her.”
~ Iris Starr, Empower Equestrian Teammate